Related articles: Tenosynovitis
Definition
Tenosynovitis is tendon inflammation that also affects the synovial sheath (structure that protects the tendon from friction with adjacent structures).
The causes that determine the onset of tenosynovitis are generally mechanical and include prolonged trauma and functional stress (excessive strain). Tenosynovitis can also be traced to rheumatic diseases, systemic diseases or infections. Among the most common forms are chronic tenosynovitis of the thumb (also called De Quervain syndrome), tenosynovitis of the anterior tibial bone and stenosing tenosynovitis of the finger flexors (the so-called "snap finger").
Most common symptoms and signs *
- Elbow pain
- Hand and wrist pain
- Arm pain
- Pain, heat, redness and swelling of the finger
- Articolar pains
- Pus formation
- Tingling in the right arm
- Tingling in the Left Arm
- Joint swelling
- Freckles
- Nodule
- Rheumatism
- Joint stiffness
- Articular noises
- Articular Pouring
Further indications
Tenosynovitis is manifested by intense pain, reduced movement and production of fluid (serous joint effusion) which can generate swelling. The inflammation makes the synovial sheath wrinkled and irregular (eg the crackling tenosynovitis is associated with a crackling that accompanies the movement of the affected joint) or it lasts, often with the formation of a nodule inside the tendon. In the later stages, the tendon could become blocked when it is flexed, and then suddenly extend with a snap (snap tenosynovitis).
Chronic inflammation can cause scarring with neighboring tissues that limit mobility. In infectious tenosynovites, the inflammatory process can assume suppurative characters, with formation of pus within the inflamed tissue, redness and heat of the overlying skin.
The most frequent sites affected by tenosynovitis are the hands, the wrist, the forearm, the shoulder, the hip, the foot and the Achilles tendon.
Treatment includes immobilization, application of moist heat and the use of anti-inflammatories. Sometimes, corticosteroid injection can provide safe and rapid pain relief. If corticosteroid therapy fails, surgical release can be attempted.
